Louisiana Handicap Parking: Know the Real Rules

The old joke in Louisiana is that during the summer, the best parking spots at a store are determined by the amount of available shade, not by the distance to the door.

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Yes, it's the heat that will make us all a little crazy. But a recent outing with my wife left us both with our mouths wide open as we began to ponder Louisiana law.

As we pulled into the parking lot at our favorite grocery store, we quickly gave up the search for anything near the door and resorted to parking at the first available spot which was hundreds of feet from the door.

It was a long, hot walk, but it got even more frustrating the minute we encountered a sweet, older lady, who was struggling with her walker as she trudged towards the door. When I asked why she didn't park in one of the handicap places, she almost sneered at me saying, "There aren't any left!"

As fate would have it, just as we approached the many handicap spots the store has provided, we watched an able-bodied young man, possibly in his mid-twenties, climb into a truck that was parked in one of those spots and drive off.

Indeed, he had a handicap placard, but that couldn't have been for "his" handicap, right? Being that he was the only person in the vehicle, it certainly wasn't for anyone else. So, how in the world was he "not able" to walk from the back part of this lot, while this little old lady was forced to?

After some thought it occurred to me that this young man might not have a "visible" disability. He could be dealing with asthma or a heart condition. There could be a number of reasons why he wasn't able to park and walk a long distance.

But the discussion drove me to dig a little deeper and find some of the Louisiana laws regarding obtaining the "Handicap Parking Placard/License Plate" and the legal use of such.

What Are Louisiana Laws Regarding Handicap Parking And Legal Usage of Permits?

According to handicapplacard.com, "A variety of medical conditions can qualify an individual for a disability parking placard or tag.

A healthcare professional must certify the disability. These conditions generally include serious ailments or disabilities that significantly impair mobility or the ability to perform daily activities."

What Are Louisiana's "Qualifying Conditions" In Order To Receive Handicap Parking?

• Severe lung disease
• Class III or IV heart condition
• Inability to walk 200 feet without rest
• Severe neurological, arthritic, or orthopedic conditions
• Need for portable oxygen
• Use of assistive devices (wheelchair, crutches, braces, etc.)
• Disable Veterans

What Are Disabilities Considered "Hidden" But Still Qualify for Handicap Parking?

An article from thezebra.com highlights a number of issues where a person would qualify for a handicap designation, but not have a "visible" disability.  Those would include:

• Brain injuries and tumors
• Heart and lung conditions
• Back injuries
• Chronic pain
• Seizure disorders
• Organ transplants
• Hidden prosthetics
• Recent surgery
• Cancer treatment
• Chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia
• Short-term memory loss
• Pregnancy also qualifies for a temporary permit

What Does Louisiana Law Say About Who Can Use These Handicap Permits?

Louisiana law is very specific regarding who is legally allowed the usage of these permits.

In Louisiana, a person with a disability must be in the vehicle, either as the driver or passenger, when using a handicap parking permit.  The person to whom the handicap status has been granted, must also possess a picture ID to present if requested by law enforcement.

It is illegal to use a handicap placard or special license plate to park in a designated space if the disabled person is not present.